1st/2nd Class Blitz in Sunny Baltinglass

Baltinglass GAA club was the venue for a sunny Allianz Cumann na mBunscol blitz on June 15th for 1st and 2nd class boys and girls in West Wicklow.  22 teams took part, which meant 175 boys and girls were playing, what fantastic promotion of the game! Schools participating on the day included St Mary’s JNS Blessington, Gaelscoil na Lochanna, Kilbride, Hollywood, Valleymount, Dunlavin and Knockananna. Each team played three matches as the children enjoyed a fabulous day practising their GAA skills and revelling in the opportunity to pull on their school jerseys for the very first time. Many thanks to Baltinglass GAA, GDA Cormac Noone and all the parents and teachers who made the day possible by organising, coaching and refereeing.

3rd and 4th Take to the Stage in Ballinakill

There was an Allianz football participation blitz for 3rd and 4thclass held on the 15th June in Ballinakill. The schools who participated in the Girls’ blitz included Laragh, Ballyconnell, St. Saviour’s, Aughrim, Our Lady’s, and Gaelscoil an InbhirMhóir; and in the Boys’/Mixed blitz, Laragh, Shillelagh, St. Saviour’s, Rathdrum BNS, Aughrim, and Gaelscoil an InbhirMhóir.  Thanks to all involved in the organisation and smooth running of the event, particularly the Young Whistlers who refereed.

Visit of All-Ireland Winning Cups

Thanks to all the Wicklow players who visited various schools around the county with All-Ireland trophies, many of whom are past pupils and have graced the fields at Cumann namBunscol competitions. The Senior hurlers brought the Nicky Rackard cup, the Under-17 hurlers brought the Celtic Challenge trophy and the Under-14 ladies footballers brought the Bronze Football cup.  It was heartening to see excitement ripple through schools as these players were greeted as the All-Ireland winning heroes they are and asked to sign autographs and pose for photos.  Hopefully these visits will inspire the next generation to bring more cups back to the Garden County, as the saying goes, ‘success breeds success!’

Happy Holidays

Cumann na mBunscol Chill Mhantáin thank pupils, teachers, principals, parents, GDAs/County board and anyone who helped to promote Gaelic games in primary schools in the Garden County. We wish you all a happy and healthy summer holiday, and we hope you get the chance to get out in the sunshine to kick a ball or strike a sliotar.  We’ll be back in September with a fixture list ready to go!

Please send results, reports or photos to pro.cnmb.wicklow@gaa.ie, follow us on twitter @cnmbwicklow Keep up-to-date with all Allianz Cumann namBunscol news in Wicklow on our website www.cnmbwicklow.ie